12 special photographers for the 20th anniversary of Lavazza calendars

The Lavazzers is the name of the 20th edition of the Lavazza calendar. To celebrate this important event the Italian coffee house Lavazza has invited 12 iconic photographers to shoot its 2012 issue.

Annie Leibovitz, Miles Aldridge, David LaChapelle, Mark Seliger, Elliott Erwitt, Finlay MacKay, Ellen von Unwerth, Erwin Olaf, Thierry Le Goues, Marino Parisotto, Eugenio Recuenco, and Albert Watson were each given the brief to shoot self portraits demonstrating their love of Lavazza coffee. The result is a series of stunning inspirational images that combine humour, creativity and surrealism.

Because we have used to see them behind the camera, seeing them as the main heroes in the photos provokes a new emotion. David LaChapelle, the king of the jungle in a shot entitled "An ordinary morning turns into Paradise", recounts how coffee is "a tool to push my mind into gear". Fellow photographer Erwin Olaf in his shot "My thoughts flying away", points out how, "While drinking Lavazza coffee naturally the human body is on my mind".

The Dutch model Valerie van der Graaf, who is also 20 years old, stars on the cover shot by Ellen von Unwerth. "Everyone knows that I`m a photographer," Ellen explains "What they may not know is that I`m often involved with birthday cakes, especially when I`m working with Lavazza. Once, to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the brand and now, because it`s the twentieth birthday of the Lavazza Calendar. So you see, we can always find an excuse for a celebration. And if there`s a party, you can be sure I won`t miss it."